Dementia

Dementia is not a specific disease, it is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.

Alzheimer's disease accounts to 60-80% of cases, while vascular dementia – which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

Memory

Communication and language

Ability to focus and pay attention

Reasoning and judgement

Visual perception

Many forms of dementia are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them.

Talk to our psychiatrists at Cadabam's Hospitals to determine the cause. Early professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and it also provides time to plan for the future.

The treatment itself will depend on the cause. In the case of most progressive dementias there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression including Alzheimer's disease. However, there are drugs and treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. Talk to our doctor's and seek timely help. There are also coping techniques for dementia care givers, talk to our psychologists at Cadabam's Hospitals to find out more.